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South Williamsport Area School Superintendent Dr. Mark Stamm expressed concern about bus safety at this week's school board meeting.
He noted that district buses were involved in two accidents in the past month, resulting in no injuries.
The first accident occurred Oct. 22 when a bus stopped along Route 15 was rear-ended by a vehicle.
The other crash earlier this month happened near the high school when a vehicle struck the side of a bus.
Bus drivers were not at fault in either accident, Stamm said.
Stamm said he wants to emphasize bus and driver safety in the district.
He noted that drivers go through two safety trainings a year, and students are trained in bus evacuations.
When an accident occurs, the protocol is to ensure all passengers are safe before they can evacuate the bus.
Parents of students are alerted of the accident and when their children arrive safely to school.
Several board members questioned Stamm about a vaccine site being set up for the public.
Sue Bowman said she felt the board was not involved in the decision to establish one in the district.
"Something like this should have been discussed," she said.
She questioned why it was not on the agenda.
Diane Cramer said she was "taken aback" by Stamm's announcement at the Nov. 1 board meeting about opening a vaccine site.
She said she's concerned as well about the risks vaccines may pose to children.
"The board did vote on it as part of the health and safety plan in July," Stamm said.
Bowman said she is concerned about the liability to the district.
Stamm noted that the district is partnering with UPMC for the vaccine site.
The only liability that would be absorbed by the district would be safety issues involving property.
The plan calls for opening the site one Saturday a month during November and December.
Stamm updated the board on the district's strategic plan.
Its mission statement, he said, is to provide a safe, caring and challenging learning environment.
The plan involves a cooperative effort among teachers, board members, parents of students and a student representative.
The board heard reports from Central Elementary School principal Dr. Michele Loomis and Maria Pierce, director of student services, on efforts to improve math and reading skills of students.